In Spite of Nancy, But Because of Norm

We knew as we walked down the hall and saw the nurse’s smirk and nod, we were in for it. Dr. T’s reaction was immediate. His shoulders sank only momentarily then it was back to business. “Here we go,” he said right before we entered the room. Her dime store perfume, applied liberally that morning engulfed the exam room. I don’t think we got both feet fully through the door before she started. Norm, her timid and weary husband, didn’t even make the attempt to describe his symptoms. Nancy had it covered for him. The list she pulled out of her pocketbook rolled onto the floor like a child’s Christmas list. As she rounded out her litany of Norm’s complaints, I swear I may have briefly nodded off. It’s doubtful that Dr. T actually heard every word she said, however, every time I glanced his way, I would swear he was as attuned as if he were watching Woods teeing for the last hole in the Masters. When the break came, the moment she stopped reciting and waited for feedback, he did it. He identified the key ailments, linked them together into a diagnosis and recommended a course of treatment. He didn’t miss a beat. He was even able to tactfully dissuade her from the prescription painkillers she so adamantly demanded for Norm and steer him toward a course of nonmedicated pain management. We left the room, never having heard Norm utter a sound. As we got into the hallway and I was able to breath the fresh air and reflect, what had transpired actually hit me. I was just witness to the worst and the best of what medicine and patient care can mean. And I saw it handled by a master.

I spent the last semester** in a mentorship program with Dr. T at [Medical Center]. I saw my future and I am more committed to it than ever. Shadowing Dr. T showed everything I love about medicine. I’m inspired by the ability to restore a sense of normalcy to a life that has been shattered by injury or disease. I relish the challenge to pull together seemingly unrelated complaints and devise a diagnosis and treatment. The problem-solving aspect of the career excites me. Formulating the why’s, what’s and wherefore’s of an injury requires knowledge of human anatomy and medicine and an understanding of the scientific approach. The sureties of it, that there is a physiological answer out there somewhere, if you can only find the right pieces and put them together. That’s what I enjoy. Despite my love of the academics and research aspects of medicine, the patient impact is what inspires me. I know from my experience that I would never want to be solely a research doctor toiling away in a laboratory. I love the kinesthetics, getting patients to learn through a hands-on approach and take part in their own care. I did experience that patient care can be challenging, but even at its worst – with Nancy and Norm – it is the best part of medicine.

Dr. T inspired me with his ability to bring patience, humor and balance to medicine. I had a picture in my mind of a doctor -- a drab, scientific, coarse individual without the ability to see beyond dusty medical books and charts, to see the person beyond the patient. Dr. T broke the mold. He is funny. He is fun. He has a life. He has a family. He has hobbies. He didn’t have to give up his life for his love of medicine. He is one person, not two separate individuals split by a career and a life.

The semester I spent at [Medical Center] opened a window on the world of medicine for me. It is everything I thought it would be and so much more that I never could have imagined.

Thanks Dr. T!


*all names have been changed
**read:6yrs ago